Device for handling value documents

ABSTRACT

An adapter for connecting first and second modules in a device for handling notes of value. Also disclosed is a cover for such note handling device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a divisional patent application of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/513,508 filed Jul. 17, 2012, which is a National Stage application of International Application No. PCT/EP2010/068827, filed De. 3, 2010, and published in German as WO 2011/067374 A1 on Jun. 9, 2011. This application claims the benefit and priority of German Application No. 10 2009 057 068.3, filed Dec. 4, 2009. The entire disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

1. Technical Field

The invention relates to a device for handling notes of value comprising a central power supply unit that is electrically conductive connected to a first end of an electrical wire for transmitting electrical power with a first module, wherein the second end of the first electrical wire opposite to the first end is connected to a first plug connector. Furthermore, the device comprises at least a second module that is electrically conductive connected to a first end of a second electrical wire for transmitting electrical signals between the first and the second module, wherein the second end of the second electrical wire opposite to the first end is connected to a second plug connector. In an operating state the first module is electrically conductive connected to the first electrical wire and the second electrical wire, whereas in a maintenance state the module is neither electrically conductive connected to the first nor to the second electrical wire.

2. Discussion

In particular, the device is an automated teller machine, an automatic cash register system and/or an automatic cash safe for cash deposit and/or cash dispensing of notes of value. These devices each comprise several cash boxes, preferably four cash boxes in which the deposited notes of value are received and from which the notes of value to be dispensed are removed. Each respective cash box is assigned a separating and/or a stacking module that removes notes of value from the cash boxes and supplies them to the cash boxes. Via several electrical wires each separating module is connected to a central control unit, to a power supply unit, to the respective cash box and to adjacent separating and/or stacking modules, wherein via these electrical wires electrical signals, in particular control signals and/or data and electrical power for supplying electric loads existing in the separating and/or stacking module and/or the cash box are transmitted.

In known automated teller machines the individual electrical wires are each mounted via an own plug connector to a corresponding complementary plug connector of a controller card of the separating and/or stacking module. For maintenance of the automated teller machine, the automatic cash safe and/or the automatic cash register system the cash boxes and the separating and/or stacking modules connected to it must be removed from the device and the plug connectors of all electrical wires must be unplugged individually and plugged on later after maintenance on the controller card before operating the device again. This plugging on of the plug connectors to the controller card after maintenance is complex and time-consuming, as the separating modules, in particular the controller cards of the separating modules are difficult to access and the service technician in charge often has to plug on the plug connectors without visual contact by groping the plug connectors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to specify a device for handling notes of value that can be maintained easily.

According to the invention the device comprises an adapter that includes a third plug connector formed complementary to the first plug connector, a fourth plug connector formed complementary to the second plug connector and at least a fifth plug connector, wherein the fifth plug connector is electrically conductive connected to the third plug connector and electrically conductive to the fourth plug connector. The module on the other hand comprises a sixth plug connector formed complementary to the fifth plug connector, wherein in the operating state the contact elements of the fifth plug connector are electrically conductive connected to the contact elements of the sixth plug connector, and wherein between the fifth and the sixth plug connector as well the power is transmittable via the first electrical wire as the electrical signals are transmittable via the second electrical wire. By this, it is achieved that for establishing the electrical connection between the first module and the power supply unit via the first electrical conductor and for establishing the electrical connection between the first module and the second module via the second electrical wire simply a plug connector has to be connected to the first module, in particular to the sixth plug connector of the first module. Thus, during maintenance the first module can be separated from both electrical wires easily and quickly, and after maintenance it can be reconnected easily to both electrical wires.

It is especially advantageous if the plug connection between the adapter and the first electrical wire via the first and the third plug connector as well as the plug connection between the adapter and the second electrical wire via the second plug connector and the fourth plug connector is maintained permanently, even in the maintenance state, by producing the plug connection between the first and the third plug connector as well as the plug connection between the second and the fourth plug connector just once during assembly of the device, otherwise the adapter is permanently connected to the first electrical wire and to the second electrical wire, irrespective of whether the device is in the maintenance state or in the operating state. Overall, via the adapter a simple and quick maintenance of the device is enabled, thus saving time and costs. In particular in the case of maintenance-intensive devices, especially in the case of automated teller machines, an automatic cash register system and/or automatic cash safes considerable costs can be saved.

The first module is particularly a separating and/or stacking module for supplying notes of value to a cash box and/or for removing notes of value from the cash box. In this case the device is in particular an automated teller machine, an automatic cash register system and/or an automatic cash safe. Such separating and stacking modules have to be maintained regularly in order to guarantee the regular operation and to prevent a jam of the notes of value. In contrast to known automated teller machines, automatic cash register systems and/or automatic cash safes in which each electrical wire that has to be connected must be mounted to the module separately after maintenance, by providing the adapter only one plug connector has to be connected to the separating and/or stacking module.

The second electrical wire is in particular a data wire for providing a BUS-connection between the first module and the second module. The second module is in particular also a separating and/or stacking module that, via the second electrical wire is connected to the first separating and/or stacking module. Via the data wire in particular control information for controlling the separating and/or stacking module is transmitted.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the third, the fourth and the fifth plug connector are arranged on a circuit board, wherein the third plug connector is electrically conductive connected to the fifth plug connector as well as the fourth plug connector is electrically conductive connected to the fifth plug connector via the conductor path of the circuit board. Thus, a compact design of the adaptor and a secure and simple electrical connection of the fourth plug connector with the fifth plug connector and the third plug connector with the fifth plug connector are achieved. In an especially preferred embodiment of the invention the sixth plug connector is also arranged on a circuit board of the separating and stacking module. This circuit board is in particular a controller card of the separating and/or stacking module.

The length of the conductor path connecting the fourth plug connector to the fifth plug connector is formed as small as possible, so that there are only minor transmission losses and interferences when transmitting the electrical signals transmitted via the second electrical wire between the fourth plug connector and the fifth plug connector. The length of the conductor path connecting the fourth plug connector to the fifth plug connector has particularly a value in the range between 5 mm and 50 mm, preferably in the range between 8 mm and 20 mm.

The distance between the third plug connector and the fourth plug connector is however chosen as large as possible so that the electrical signals transmitted via the fourth plug connector and the electrical power transmitted via the third plug connector do not influence each other or do only influence each other slightly, thus guaranteeing a high transmission quality of the electrical signals. The distance has particularly a value in the range between 40 mm and 70 mm, preferably in the range between 45 mm and 60 mm. Through this on the one hand a compact design of the adapter is enabled and on the other hand a sufficiently large distance between the third plug connector and the fourth plug connector is guaranteed.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the cash box that is assigned to the first module is connected to a first end of a third electrical wire for transmitting electrical power and/or control signals. The second end of the third electrical wire opposing the first end is connected to a seventh plug connector, wherein the adapter comprises an eighth plug connector electrically conductive connected to the fifth plug connector and formed complementary to the seventh plug connector. Via the connection present in the operating state between the fifth and sixth plug connector the electrical power transmittable via the third electrical wire and/or the transmittable control signals are transmittable. With this embodiment it is achieved that the first module is not only connected via the adapter to a first and a second electrical wire but additionally connected to a third electrical wire and thus to the cash box.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the device comprises a third module, in particular a separating and/or stacking module that is electrically conductive connected to a first end of a fourth electrical wire for transmitting electrical signals between the first and the third module. A second end of the fourth electrical wire opposite to the first end is connected to a ninth plug connector, wherein the adapter comprises a tenth plug connector electrically conductive connected to the fifth plug connector and formed complementary to the ninth plug connector, and via the plug connection formed in the operating state between the fifth and sixth plug connector the electrical signals transmittable via the fourth electrical wire can be transmitted. In this embodiment of the invention the first module thus is connectable to another module via the adapter, so that via the adapter all in all the electrical power, the electrical signals, the data and the control signals of four electrical wires are transmittable.

In an especially preferred embodiment of the invention all electrical signals and the power required for operating that are transmitted to the first module or, respectively, are given out by the first module, are transmitted via the plug connection formed between the fifth and sixth plug connector and thus via the adapter. Through this, it is achieved that after maintenance only one plug connection by mounting the fifth plug connector of the adapter to the sixth plug connector of the first module must be plugged on, guaranteeing a quick and simple recommissioning of the device.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the device comprises four cash boxes, each of which is assigned a separating and/or stacking module. Each of these separating and/or stacking modules is connected to the device and/or connected to each other via an above-mentioned adapter, wherein all electrical signals to be transmitted between the device and the respective separating and/or stacking module and the electrical power necessary for operation are transmitted via this adapter.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the first module comprises a first cover element and the adapter comprises a second cover element, and if in the operating state the first cover element and the second cover element are connected to each other and if in the maintenance state both cover elements are separated from each other. With the cover elements it is achieved that the circuit board of the first module as well as the circuit board of the adapter are protected. Moreover, through this it is achieved that the adapter can be handled more easily. For this purpose the second cover plate is formed such that it can be handled easily, in particular it is provided with a handle and/or a recessed grip.

It is advantageous if the first cover element comprises an elastic first connecting element and the second cover element comprises a second connecting element formed complementary to the first connecting element. In the operating state the first and the second cover element are connected to each other via a clip-connection formed between the first and the second connecting element. In this way, it is achieved that both cover elements and consequently the adapter and the first module can be connected to each other easily, so that after maintenance the adapter can be replugged easily to the first module. The clip-connection is particularly formed such that the clip-connection can be released non-destructively by an appropriate elastic deformation of the elastic first connecting elements, so that the clip-connection can be released for maintenance and can be restored after maintenance without having to replace parts. In an alternative embodiment of the invention the second connecting part also can be additionally or alternatively of an elastic structure.

The clip-connection is in particular formed such that the second connecting element comprises a groove and the first connecting element has an engagement element formed complementary to the groove, wherein the engagement element engages in the in the groove in the connected condition, that is in the condition in which the clip-connection is formed. By elastic deformation of the first connecting element the engagement element is removed from the groove, so that the clip-connection between the first and the second cover element can be released.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention the first and the second cover element are connectable alternatively or additionally via a plug and/or snap connection.

The first connecting element is particularly formed as a nose protruding laterally from the first cover element, wherein the nose preferably is tapered in the direction opposite to the first cover element. By this it is achieved that, when mounting the adapter to the first module via the first and the second connecting element the adapter is guided relatively to the first module, so that the plug connection between the fifth and the sixth plug connector can be established easily. Due to the tapered form of the first connecting element here it is in particular achieved that when mounting the adapter it is only movable such that when the clip-connection is established, there is automatically a plug connection between the fifth and the sixth plug connector. Thus, it is achieved that after maintenance the adapter can be replugged easily and accurately, without the service operator carrying out the maintenance having to see the space at which the adapter is mounted. Thus, it is achieved that the first module can be connected easily via the adapter to all electrical wires required for a regular operation of the module, even at places that are difficult to access and not visible.

Moreover, it is advantageous if the first cover element comprises a first guiding element and the adapter has a second guiding element formed complementary to the first guiding element. When connecting the first cover element and the second cover element the first and the second guiding element are at least temporarily engaged, so that the first and the second cover element are engaged with each other at least temporarily, so that the first and the second cover element are guided relatively to each other via contact between the first and the second guiding element. In this way in addition to the guiding achieved by mounting the adapter via the first and the second connecting element an additional guiding of the adapter relatively to the first module is achieved. By the first and the second connecting element in particular a coarse guidance is achieved, through which the adapter is firstly guided when mounting the adapter, whereas through the first and the second guiding element a fine guidance is achieved, through which the adapter is firstly guided at the end of the mounting, thus shortly before and during establishing the plug connection between the fifth and the sixth plug connector. Hereby, it is guaranteed that the plug connection between the fifth and the sixth plug connector is established reliably and easily even if there is no visual contact when mounting the adapter and/or even there is only a limited mounting space.

Additionally or alternatively to the first and the second guiding element the second cover element can comprise a third guiding element and the first module a fourth guiding element formed complementary to the third guiding element, wherein when connecting the first and the second cover element the third and the fourth guiding element engage at least temporarily, and the first cover element and the second cover element are guided relatively to each other via contact between the third and the fourth guiding element. By providing four guiding elements a double fine guidance of the adapter is achieved relatively to the first module when replugging the adapter. In this case the guiding elements are especially arranged such that the first fine guidance effected by the first and second guiding element and the second fine guidance effected by the third and fourth guiding element are arranged on opposite sides of the plug connection established between the fifth and sixth plug connector. Through this, when mounting the adapter to the first module a secure guidance as even as possible is achieved.

The first and/or the third guiding element in particular each comprise a groove, whereas the second guiding element is formed as a slot in a circuit board of the adapter, in which the first guiding element engages when connecting the first cover element and the second cover element so that the groove of the first guiding element is guided in this slot. In the same way the fourth guiding element is in particular formed as a slot in a circuit board of the module, in which the third guiding element engages when connecting the first cover element and the second cover element, so that the groove of the third guiding element is guided in this slot. In this way an easy and secure guidance of the adapter relatively to the module is guaranteed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Further features and advantages of the invention result from the following description which in connection with the enclosed Figures explains the invention in more detail with reference to embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective illustration of an automated teller machine in an operating state.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective illustration of the automated teller machine according to FIG. 1 in a maintenance state;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective illustration of a controller card and a cover element of a separating and/or stacking module and of an adapter in an unconnected state with a view to the inside facing the separating and/or stacking module;

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective illustration of the controller card of the separating and/or stacking module, the cover element of the separating and/or stacking module as well as the adapter according to FIG. 3 in an unconnected state with a view to the outside opposite to the inside;

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective illustration of the controller card of the separating and/or stacking module, the cover element of the separating and/or stacking module and the adapter according to FIGS. 3 and 4 in a connected state with a view to the outside;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective illustration of the controller card of the separating and/or stacking module, the cover element of the separating and/or stacking module and the adapter in a connected state with a view to the inside;

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective illustration of the controller card;

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective illustration of the cover element of the separating and/or stacking module;

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective illustration of a circuit board of the adapter;

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective illustration of a cover element of the adapter; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective illustration of a guiding element of the cover element of the separating and/or stacking module.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an automated teller machine 10 in an operating state. Alternatively, the device can also be an automatic cash register system or an automatic cash safe. The operating state is the state in which notes of value can be deposited in the automated teller machine 10 and/or be dispensed by the automated teller machine 10.

The automated teller machine 10 comprises a safe 12, in which four cash boxes 14 a to 14 d are accommodated. Alternatively, in the safe 12 more or less than four cash boxes 14 a to 14 d can be accommodated. Each of these cash boxes 14 a to 14 d is assigned a separating and/or stacking module 16 a to 16 d by means of which notes of value can be removed from the respective cash box 14 a to 14 d and can be supplied to the respective cash box 14 a to 14 d. In an alternative embodiment of the invention the automated teller machine 10 can be, different from the previous description, not a deposit and dispensing automated teller machine but a mere cash deposit machine or a mere cash dispensing machine. In this case the notes of value are only supplied to the cash boxes 14 a to 14 d or respectively, dispensed by the cash boxes 14 a to 14 d.

The notes of value removed from the cash boxes 14 a to 14 d by means of the separating and/or stacking modules 16 a to 16 d are transported via a transport path 18 through a transfer slot 22 from the safe 12 and to an input and output compartment 20 where they are handed over to the operator of the automated teller machine 10. The notes of value deposited via the input and output compartment 20 are inversely supplied to the cash boxes 14 a to 14 d via the transport path 18 by the transfer slot 22 by means of the separating and/or stacking modules 16 a to 16 d. Here, the notes of value can be stored within the cash box 14 a to 14 d by single denomination or mixed denomination.

Each separating and/or stacking module 16 a to 16 d has at least one controller card comprising at least one circuit board that is not visible in FIG. 1 as each controller card is covered by a cover plate 24 a to 24 d. The design of the controller cards is described in more detail later on. The cover elements 24 a to 24 d of the separating and/or stacking modules 16 a to 16 d serve for protecting the controller cards as well as the further components of the separating and/or stacking module 16 a to 16 d. For this, the cover elements 24 a to 24 d are connected to the respective controller card and/or the housing of the respective separating and/or stacking module 16 a to 16 d, in particular via screws. Moreover, the automated teller machine 10 comprises a central control unit 26, by means of which the separating and/or stacking modules 16 a to 16 d and the cash boxes 14 a to 14 d are controlled and supplied with electric power. Alternatively, the control and power supply, i.e. the supply of electric power can take place by two separate units.

The separating and/or stacking modules 16 a to 16 d are electrically conductive connected to the control unit 26 and to each other via several electrical wires. Furthermore, the separating and/or stacking modules 16 a to 16 d are electrically conductive connected to the cash boxes 14 a to 14 d. The connection of the separating and/or stacking modules 16 a to 16 d to each other and to the central control unit 26 is indicated in FIG. 1 by means of the electrical wires 28 a to 28 d. Here, only one electrical wire is indicated, however each separating and/or stacking module 16 a to 16 d is connected to the other components via several electrical wires. The electrical wires 28 a to 28 d can especially be cables with several internal conductors and/or individual conductors, so-called single-conductors.

For maintenance of the automated teller machine 10 the cash boxes 14 a to 14 d and the separating and/or stacking modules 16 a to 16 d must be removed from the safe 12 and the automated teller machine 10. For this, the separating and/or stacking modules 16 a to 16 d have to be disconnected from the electrical wires 28 a to 28 d. FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of such a maintenance state of the automated teller machine 10. Elements with a same design and or same function have the same reference signs.

In order to be able to remove the separating and/or stacking modules 16 a to 16 d easily from the automated teller machine 10, the electrical wires 28 a to 28 d are connected to plug connectors so that the required connections between the respective separating and/or stacking module 16 a to 16 d and of the respective electrical wire 28 a to 28 d can be established and separated again easily. As has already been mentioned, each separating and/or stacking module 16 a to 16 d is connected to several electrical wires 28 a to 28 d. Here, not each electrical wire 28 a to 28 d is connected via an own plug connection to the controller card of the respective separating and/or stacking module 16 a to 16 d, but all electrical wires that are to be connected to a separating and/or stacking module 16 a to 16 d are each electrically conductive connected to an adapter 30 a to 30 d via a plug connection, wherein the respective adapter 30 a to 30 d is connectable to the controller card of the respective separating and/or stacking module 16 a to 16 d via a single plug connection.

Thus, it is achieved that when changing from the operating state to the maintenance state only one single plug connection has to be disconnected and when changing from the maintenance in the operating state, thus after completion of the maintenance work, only one plug connection between the controller card and the respective adapter 30 a to 30 d has to be established. For the person carrying out the maintenance it is much easier if just one plug connection has to be established and not each electrical wire 28 a to 28 d that has to be connected to the respective separating and/or stacking module 16 a to 16 d has to be mounted to the controller card by an individual plug connection.

The exact structure of the adapters 30 a to 30 d as well as the connection between the adapters 30 a to 30 d and the separating modules 16 a to 16 d is further explained in context with the following Figures. The adapter 30 a to 30 d remains in the maintenance state at the electrical wires 28 a to 28 d. The electrical wires 28 a to 28 d are in particular parts of a cable harness of the automated teller machine 10.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective illustration of the cover element 24 a of the first separating/and or stacking module 16 a as well as of the controller card 32 of the first separating and/or stacking module 16 a and of the first adapter 30 a. The cover elements 24 a to 24 d of the other separating and/or stacking modules 16 b to 16 d, the controller cards of the other separating and/or stacking modules 16 b to 16 d as well as the other adapters 30 b to 30 d are designed correspondingly as is shown for the components of the separating and/or stacking module 16 a in FIG. 3. Thus, the description of the design of the cover elements 24 a to 24 d of the separating and/or stacking modules 16 a to 16 d, of the controller cards 32 of the separating and/or stacking modules 16 a to 16 d as well as of the plug adapters 30 a to 30 d is carried out exemplarily by means of the design of the cover element 24 a and the controller card 32 a of the first separating and/or stacking module 16 a as well as the first plug connector 30 a. The explanations are correspondingly valid for the respective components of the other separating and/or stacking modules 16 b to 16 d and the other adapters 32 b to 32 d. For simplifying the description in the following the first cover element 24 a of the first separating and/or stacking module 16 a will be characterized as cover element 24 a of the separating and/or stacking module 16 a, the first controller card 32 of the first separating and/or stacking module 16 a will be characterized as controller card 32 of the separating and/or stacking module 16 a and the first adapter 30 a will be characterized as adapter 30 a.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention the controller cards 32 of the different separating and/or stacking modules 16 a to 16 d can be designed differently. In the same way the different plug adapters 32 a to 32 d can be designed differently. In particular the individual plug adapters 30 a to 30 d can be adapted to the individual situations of the individual separating and/or stacking modules 16 a to 16 d. However, it is advantageous if the plug adapters 30 a to 30 d are constructed identically, as in this case only one type of components has to be manufactured leading to a reduction of the manufacturing costs and to a minimizing of the component diversity so that less parts must remain available as spare parts.

FIG. 3 shows a view to the inside of the components 24 a, 32, 30 a, wherein the inside is the side facing the separating and/or stacking module 16 a in a mounted state, whereas the outside is the side facing the safe wall.

Adapter 30 a comprises a circuit board 34 as well as a cover element 36 that is connected to the circuit board 34 via two screws 38 a, 38 b. On the circuit board 24 five plug connectors 40 to 48 are arranged, wherein the four plug connectors 40 to 46 are electrically conductive connected to the fifth plug connector 48 via circuit paths of the circuit board 34. The first plug connector 40 serves for connecting the adapter 30 a to a power supply unit and is therefore provided to supply the first separating and/or stacking module 16 a with electric power. For this purpose a not shown sixth plug connector formed complementary to the first plug connector 40 that is arranged at one end of the electrical wire connected to the power supply unit is plugged in the first plug connector 40 for establishing a plug connection, so that the plug connectors are electrically conductive connected to each other.

Via the second plug connector 42 a plug connection with an electrical wire that is connected to a cash box 14 a assigned to the first separating and/or stacking module 16 a can be established. Via this plug connection electrical signals in particular data, as well as electric power for supplying electrical devices in the cash box 14 a can be transmitted between the cash box 14 a and the adapter 30 a. The third and fourth plug connector 44, 46 each serve for establishing a BUS-connection between the controller card 32 and the adapter 30 a and thus the first separating and/or stacking module 16 a and a further module 16 b to 16 d, 26. The adapter 30 a is particularly electrically conductive connected to the central control unit 26 via the third plug connector 44, and via the fourth plug connector 46 connected to the second separating and/or stacking module 16 b, wherein in each case electrical signals are transmitted via the plug connections formed through the plug connectors 44, 46, preferably with coded data, in particular control data.

As mentioned above the first four plug connectors 40 to 46 are connected to the fifth plug connector 48 via the circuit paths of the circuit board 34. The controller card 32 comprises a seventh plug connector 50 formed complementary to the fifth plug connector. In a connected state shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 the fifth plug connector 48 and the seventh plug connector 50 are plugged one to the other so that they form a plug connection, and the contact elements of the plug connectors 48, 50 are electrically conductive connected to each other. In this connected state all electrical signals and electrical supply voltages transmitted via the plug connectors 40 to 46 can be transmitted via the plug connection formed between the fifth plug connector 48 and the seventh plug connector 50 between the adapter 30 a and the controller card 32 and thus between the separating and/or stacking module 16 a. Consequently, after maintenance of the automated teller machine 10 only one single plug connection, namely the plug connection between the fifth plug connector 48 and the seventh plug connector 50 has to be reconnected, and not four plug connections between the controller card 32 and the plug connectors plugged in the first four plug connectors 40 to 46 of the adapter 30 a have to be restored. By this, the recommissioning of the automated teller machine 10 is made easier and costs and time are saved. Vice versa, for maintenance only one plug connection has to be released.

The plug connectors 40 to 48 are arranged on the circuit board such that the plug connectors 44, 46 serving for data transmission via BUS-connection are arranged at the fifth plug connector 48 as close as possible, so that the circuit paths connecting the fifth plug connector 48 to the third and fourth plug connector 44, 46 are as short as possible resulting in an only small impact on quality during data transmission. Vice versa, the plug connectors 40, 44, 46 are arranged such that the distance between the plug connectors 44, 46 serving for data transmission and the plug connector 40 serving for voltage supply is as large as possible, so that no interferences occur and the data transmission is not impaired by the transmitting electrical power. Alternatively or additionally a shielding for the circuit path can be provided.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention the adapter 30 a can comprise more or less than five plug connectors 40 to 48. In the same way the plug connectors 40 to 46 can be connected to components different from the above-mentioned components. For example, in case of the second adapter 30 b the corresponding third plug connector is not directly connected to the voltage regulating unit 26 but to the first plug connector 30 a.

Furthermore, the cover element 24 a comprises a first connecting element 52 and the cover element 36 a second connecting element 54 formed complementary to the first connecting element 52. Moreover, the cover element 24 a has a first guiding element 56, the circuit board 34 a second guiding element 58, the controller card 32 a third guiding element 60 and the cover element 36 a fourth guiding element 62. The connecting elements 52, 54 and the guiding elements 56 to 62 serve on the one hand for connecting the adapter 30 a to the cover element 24 a and the controller card 32 and thus of the separating and/or stacking module 16 a. Moreover, the connecting elements 52, 54 as well as the guiding elements 56 to 62 serve for guiding the adapter 30 a relatively to the separating and/or stacking module 16 a when mounting the adapter 30 a to the separating and/or stacking module 16 b.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective illustration of the cover plate 24 a and the controller card 32 of the first separating and/or stacking module 16 a as well as the adapter 30 a with view to the backside. FIG. 4 clearly shows the embodiment of the second connecting element 54. The first guiding element 52 is formed as a nose protruding laterally from the direction of the adapter 30 a of the cover element 24 a, wherein the first cover element 52 is tapered in the direction opposite of the cover element 24 a. The two lateral legs 64, 66 of the first guiding element 52 in particular enclose an angle in the range between 5° and 15°, preferably an angle of 10°.

The first connecting element 52 has a projection 68 on the side facing the separation and/or stacking module 16 a, whereas the second connecting element 54 has a groove 70 formed complementary to the projection 68. The first connecting element 52 is elastically deformable, so that when mounting the adapter 30 a to the separating and/or stacking module 16 a the first connecting element 52 can be deformed elastically, so that the projection 68 engages in the groove 70 of the second connecting element 54 for connecting the adapter 30 a to the cover element 24 a. For releasing the snap connection between the first connecting element 52 and the second connecting element 54 the first connecting element 52 is bent away manually from the adapter 30 a and thus is deformed elastically until the projection 68 does not longer engage with the groove 70 and the adapter 30 a can thus be removed from the separating and/or stacking module 16 a.

In the connected state, i.e. when the first connecting element 52 and the second connecting element 54 are connected to each other, the fifth plug connector 48 and the seventh plug connector 50 are electrically conductive connected to each other so that the plug connection between the fifth and seventh plug connector 48, 50 is established.

The first connecting element 52 and the second connecting element 54 do not only serve for connecting the adapter 30 a and the separating and/or stacking module 16 a in the connected state, but serve as well for guiding the adapter 30 a relatively to the separating module 16 a when mounting the adapter 30 a. Due to the tapered form of the first guiding element 52 and the corresponding tapered form of the complementary formed second guiding element 54 it is achieved that the adapter 30 a can be mounted without visual contact and is guided such that in the connected state the plug connection between the fifth plug connector 48 and the seventh plug connector 50 remains. By this it is achieved that the adapter can be mounted easily even if there is only a limited space and/or if there is no visual contact. Thus, the assembly is made easier and time is saved.

The guiding of the adapter 30 a relative to the separating and/or stacking module 16 a through the first and the second connecting element 52, 54 is also designated as coarse guiding, as this does already effect a guiding even if the distance between the adapter 30 a and the separating and/or stacking module 16 a is still relatively large, whereas in addition to the coarse guiding by means of the four guiding elements 56 to 62 a fine guiding is caused, wherein this fine guiding of the adapter 30 a relative to the separating and/or stacking module 16 a is only caused when the adapter 30 a is already positioned relatively close to the position at which it is arranged in the connected state.

For this, the second guiding element 58 and the third guiding element 60 are each formed as a slot in the circuit board 34 or the controller card 32, respectively. The first guiding element 56 and the fourth guiding element 62 show a circumferential recess 72, 74, wherein in the connected state the guiding elements 56, 62 engage with the slots 50, 60 at the places, in which the grooves 72, 74 are formed, so that the adapter 30 a is fixed relatively to the separating and/or stacking module 16 a. When mounted the adapter 30 a is guided by means of the guiding elements 56 to 62 such that the pins 76 of the seventh plug connector 70 are guided parallel to the receiving areas 78 of the fifth plug connector 74 when connecting the adapter 30 a to the separating and/or stacking module 16 a, so that the plug connection between the fifth plug 48 and the seventh plug 50 can be established easily. All in all, by means of the coarse guiding through the first and the second connecting element 52, 54 as well as by means of the fine guiding through the guiding elements 56 to 62 a self-finding plug connection is formed.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention the adapter 30 a can be connected to the separating and/or stacking module 16 a via the connecting elements 52, 54 only and be guided only when mounting the adapter 30 a to the separating and/or stacking module 16 a. In a further alternative embodiment of the invention the adapter 30 a can be guided via the guiding elements 56 to 62 only during assembly and in a connected state can be connected to the separating and/or stacking module 16 a. Furthermore, alternatively instead of an snap connection between the first connecting element 52 and the second connecting element 54 a clip and/or plug connection can be used for mounting the adapter 30 a to the separating module 16 a. In the same way, more or less than four guiding elements 56 to 62 can be provided.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspective illustration of the cover plate 24 a, the controller card 32 and the adapter 30 in the connected state with view to the outside. In the connected state the snap connection is formed between the first connecting element 52 and the second connecting element 54. As can be seen from FIG. 4 the second connecting element 54 comprises a recess 80 that serves for an easier handling of the first connecting element 52 and can be deformed elastically in such a way in the connected state that the snap connection between the first connecting element 52 and the second connecting element 54 can be released easily. This results in an easier handling. The first connecting element 52 is in particular formed such that it is approximately as long as the width of the adapter 30 a. In this way, an easy handling and a secure guiding are achieved.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective illustration of the cover element 24 a, the controller card 32 and the adapter 30 a in the connected state with view to the inside. In this connected state the first guiding element 56 and the second guiding element 58 as well as the third guiding element 60 and the fourth guiding element 62 engage with each other.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective illustration of the controller card 32. FIG. 8 shows a schematic perspective illustration of the cover plate 24 a. In FIG. 9 a schematic perspective illustration of the circuit board 34 of the adapter 30 a is shown.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic perspective illustration of the cover element 36 of the adapter 30 a. The cover element 36 is provided at each two opposing ends a recess 82, 84 that serves as handle, so that for the person carrying out the maintenance it is much easier to grip the adapter 30 a. This results in an easier handling.

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective illustration of a portion of the cover element 24 a according to FIG. 8. Here, FIG. 11 in particular illustrates the form of the first guiding element 56.

Alternatively, the above-mentioned adapter 30 a cannot only be used for automated teller machines 10 but as well as in other maintenance-intensive self-service devices. In particular, the use of the above-mentioned adapter and the respective embodiment of the complementary element on which the adapter is mounted are useful if there is only a limited mounting space for of the adapter and/or the mounting must be carried out without visual contact.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention. 

1. An adapter for connecting first and second modules in a device for handling notes of value, said adapter comprising: a circuit board having a major surface and side edges; first, second, third, fourth and fifth connectors on the circuit board, the fifth connector having plug adjacent one side edge of the circuit board and facing outwardly parallel to the major surface of the circuit board; a guiding element formed in the circuit board adjacent the fifth connector, the guiding element serving to guide a plug in another device into mating engagement with the plug of the fifth connector; and a cover that is connected to the circuit board and covers the connectors.
 2. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the guiding element is a slot in the circuit board.
 3. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the cover includes a member projecting from a side edge thereof, the member having a groove therein into which edges defining a slot in another device fit.
 4. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the cover has an outer major surface, the major surface having a tapered recess therein for receiving an elongated member of another device.
 5. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the cover has sides, at least one side having a recess therein serving as a handle.
 6. The adapter of claim 1 that is configured to mate with a cover on a separating or stacking module.
 7. A cover for a module in a device for handling notes of value, said cover comprising: the cover having a major surface and a side edge; a member projecting from the side edge, the member having a groove therein into which edges defining a slot in another device fit; and a tapered nose projecting from the side edge, the nose being configured to be received in a tapered recess in a cover of another device.
 8. The cover of claim 7 wherein the nose is elastically flexible, the nose including a projection on a major surface thereof that is configured to be received in a slot of another device.
 9. The cover of claim 7 that is configured to cover a separating or stacking module, and wherein the member and nose of the cover serve as guiding devices for mating a plug on the cover with a plug on an adapter. 